The Western Australian Government has released a policy framework for inland drainage that will guide the use of drainage as an option for inland farmers to manage salinity and waterlogging.

 

 WA Water Minister Bill Marmion said the new framework will guide management of water resources and public assets by addressing governance, risk management, planning and assessment, and operation and maintenance of drainage projects in inland Western Australia.

 

 “The framework sets out an improved process for assessment of inland drainage proposals and makes clear the roles and responsibilities of government agencies and those looking at inland drainage as a way of managing salinity and waterlogging,” he said.

 

“It also provides clear and transparent guidelines to assist proponents in the planning and investigation of drainage projects.”

 

The policy framework was developed following stakeholder and community consultation by the Wheatbelt Drainage Council, and supported by a technical working group which included representatives from the departments of Water; Environment and Conservation; and Agriculture and Food. State Natural Resource Management funding contributed to the preparation of tools and checklists to help in the planning of drainage proposals.

 

The policy framework is available here